Fluid fuel burner for domestic heating purposes



Jan. 3, 1933.

W. W. WILLIAMS FLUID FUEL BURNER FOR DOMESTIC HEATING PURPOSES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 26. 1929 INVENTOR WHL TEA 14 W/L L/Ams yin-{L VE Jan. 3, 1933 w. w. WILLIAMS FLUID FUEL BURNER FOR DOMESTIC HEATING PURPOSES Filed Sept. 26, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 o m e 0 o INVENTOR W/ILTER l KWlLLlflMzs ATTORNEY 0 that no soot nor smoke results from the flame Patented Jan. 3, 1933 wALTER'w. WILLIAMS, or B oomINGToiv, ILLINOIS PATENT OFFICE" FLUID FUEL BURNER FOR DOMESTIC HEATING PURrosEs Application filed September 26, 1929. Serial Ho. 395,242.

This invention relates to improvements in fluid fuel burners for domestic heating purposes and moreparticularly to a mechanism of this type which embodies flameless oxidation of the fuel preparatory to combustion thereof: L

Vhile it-hasalways been the aim of fluid fuel burners for domestic heating purposes to produce a combustion so nearly complete of the burner to clog or pass through the furnace and chimney, it has been found that in order to approach this condition it has been necessary to sacrifice the heat producing effects of the burner. It is an object of this invention by the application of fiameless oxidation of the fuel preparatory to combustion to produce practically a smokeless flame without reducing the efficiency of the burner.

, With these and other objects in view reftion of the rectangular casing through an opening provided therefor in the furnace wall and extending within the interior of the fire box or combustion chamber of the furnace; Thev rectangular exterior casing 1 is lined throughout with any commercial high temperature refractory material and is provided on the top nearthe front edge with an opening 4, preferably provided with a mica or non-heat conducting transparent closure, whereby the interior of the casing may be inspected to determine whether or not a flame is existing therein. Thetop of the casing preferably adjacent the rear edge contiguous to the exterior furnace .wall 2 is provided with an air intake 5 preferably in the form of a' tubular member extending above and below the top pf the casing with the interior portion surrounded by the'sam'e commercial high temperature refractory material as the erence is made to the accompanying sheets I interior of the casing and the exterior porof drawings which illustrate a preferred form tion provlded with a damper 6 manually reguof this invention with the understanding that minor detail changes may be made therein without departing from the scope thereof.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a fragmentary portion of a domestic heating furnace illustrating in side elevation the application of this'improved device associated therewith.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of Figure 1 with parts broken, away.

Figure 3 is a view partly in side elevation, with partsbroken away, and partly in vertical section taken on the line 33 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows. Figure 4 is a view in vertical section taken on the lineA- l of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows. Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view in rear elevation, with parts broken away, of the exterior of the fuel nozzle casing.

Figure 6 is a view in vertical section of the fuel nozzle casing taken on the line of Figure 5. a

The embodiment of this invention as illustrated upon 'the drawings, includes a rectangular-casing 1, supported against the exterior of the furnace or heater'2 having a semi-circular casing 3 projecting from the lower porview' of the lower lated by the handle 6 for regulating the amount of air passing therethrough..

The semi-circular casing 3 within the-combustion chamber is preferably of greater width than the exterior' 'casing 1 with the center line of its curved surface in prolongat'on of the bottom of the casing 1 to which it is joined with the extremities of the curved surfaces terminated in a horizontal plane, as shown in Figure 4. The interior of the curved surface as well as its end closure 7, is lined with the same commercial high tem-i perature refractory material-'21s the interior of the casing 1, and forms in efi'ectan elonf gated semi-circular trough, open at the top, extending in prolongation of the rectangular casing into the interior of the fire-box or combustion chamber of the heater; Adjacent the bottom' of this semi-circular trough is arranged a tubular member 8 the axis of which is arranged at right angles to the vertical center line of the casing 1 and is joined to and opens through the rear wall of said casing while the other end is joined to and closed by the rear wall 7 of the semi-cylindrical member 3. This tubular member 8 is lined with the same commercial high temperature refractory material as theinterior of the 100 bers 3, 8 and casing 1.

member 3 and easing 1 as well as the closed end thereof.-

Arrangedwithin the tubular member 8 and resting upon the bottom of the refractory lining thereof is a pipe or tube 9, formed of the same commercial high temperature refractory material as the lining of the mem- This tube 9 extends within the interior of the casing 1 and is terminated short of the closure formed by the refractory lining at the end of the member 8 whereby a passageis formed therebetween. This member 9 is of less exterior diameter than the interior diameter of the refractory lining of the member 8, thereby allowing a passageway between the exterior of the member 9 and the interior of the member 8 wh ch is in communication with the interior of the tube 9 through the passageway at the exterior end of the member 8. As heretofore stated the tubular member 9 enters within the interior of the casing 1 and this end opens through and is joined to a vertical partition 10 of the same. commercial high temperature refractory material as the said member 9. This partition terminates above the horizontal center of the casing 1 and is preferably carried back to join the refractory lining of the rear wall of said casing to form a passageway connecting the space between members 8 and 9 and the interior of the casing 1 which passageway is preferably of cylindrical form, composed entirely of the same commercal high temperature refractory material as the member 9 and lining of member 8 and is provided near its opening into the casing 1 with a damper 11, adapted to be manually operated by the handle 12 upon the exterior of the casing 1.

On the exterior of the front of the casing 1 and in axial alignment with the refractory tubular member 9 is arranged a cylindrical fuel nozzle casing 13 opening into the interior of the casing 1 with the exterior closure supporting a fuel nozzle 15. About the cylindrical sides of the casing 13, a plurality of equally distant ports are arranged in a vertical plane which ports are adapted to commun cate with the exterior atmosphere. Within the casing 13 is arranged a rotatable sleeve having corresponding ports therein which sleeveis adapted to be rotated by the handle 14 and guided by a pin 14 extending upward through a slot in the casing whereby the size of the ports communicating with the atmosphere may be regulated by the rotat'on of said sleeve. The nozzle includes a chamber block 15 rotatably mounted in the outer end closure of thecasing 13. The chamber within the block communicates at its outer end with a steam pipe 16 hereinafter described with the other end of the chamber supporting and engagingan elongated hollow steam nozzle 17 extend'ng axially of the chamber 13 in the direction of the interior front of the cylindrical casing 1.

of the casing 1. The nozzle block is joined to a tubular extension 18 of greater interior diameter than the exterior of the steam nozzle which is tapered and its apex provided with an'aperture in axial alignment with the bore of the steam nozzle. The nozzle block 15 is provided with a port communicating with the interior of this member and with a pipe 19 leading to a source of liquid fuel supply, not shown.

AUshaped steam pipe is provided with the ends of its parallel arms 20 secured to the exterior sides of the casing 1, which arms extend through the wall of the furnace 2 and over the open refractory lined semi-circular trough 3 and are supported upon the rear closure 7 thereof with the bottom 21 of the U extending therebeyond. The free open ends of each arm are provided with closures 22 and 23 preferably extending beyond the One of these closures 23 mounts a water spray nozzle 24 which is connected to one side of a water pressure regulator 25, the other side of which is connected by a pipe 26 to a source of water supply, not shown, and the connection between the water pressure regulator and the water nozzle is preferably provided with a water pressure gauge 27 and with a manually operable valve 28. The closure 22 of the other end of the U-shaped pipe is connected to the steam pipe 16 communicating with the nozzle block and is also preferably provided with a steam gauge 29.

The tubular casing 8 and refractory lining thereof is provided with a plurality of op- Eositely disposed and equally spaced apart urner apertures 30 arranged in the horizontal plane passing through the center of said member and also with another series of oppositely disposed equally spaced apart burner apertures 31 preferably lying in the horizontal plane passing through the center of the vertical radius of the member 8 above its center.

The water issuing from the spray nozzle 24 is quickly converted into steam in the pipes 20 and 21 by the heat of the ignited gases issuing from burner holes 30 and 31 and this steam passing through the steam nozzle 17, unites with the oil in the surrounding member 18 and produces a spray of oil atomized by steam which is directed through the chamber formed by the partition 10 to enter the tubular member 9 of refractory material and at the same time induces air through the air ports in the'' casing 13, which unites with the spray of oil atomized by steam to form a combustible mixture. which mixture at first is ignited and burns within the tubular member 9, increasing the temperature of the refractory material. This flame burns or smothers out and the products of combustion and unburned vapors pass through the remainder of the heated refractory tube 9 and into the larger member 8, increasing the temperature of the refractory lining thereof. Part of trated in Figure 4, the temperature of the refractory lining of the semi-circular .trough' 3 also being increased by the heat from these flames. Part of the products of combustion and unburned vapors pass through the member 8 into the vertical conduit formed by the partition 10 in the rectangular casing 1 where they mingle with the incoming current of air passing through the intake 5 and are ignited from the flame of the atomized oil and burn in the passageway between the partition 10 and front of the rectangular casing 1. This flame smothers out above the entrance to the tubular member 9, so that the spray of oil atomized by the steam, theinduced air from the nozzle casing and the products ofcombustion and unburned vapors from the vertical chamber all pass through the small tubular member 9 as vapor, then the vapor passes through the surrounding member 8, and that part which passes through the burner apertures 30 and 31 burn in the outside air.

The refractory lining of the casing 1, the refractory partition forming the vertical refractory conduit 10, the refractory linings of the members 8 and 3, and the refractory body of the tubular member 9 all are brought to a red heat. The oil atomized by the steam becomes vaporized by the high. temperature. within the tubular member 9, and the air induced with the spray by the high' temperature causes a fiameless oxidationof the oil vapors in passing through the tubular member 9- and generates heat within the refractory material forming the member 9 and lining member 8. The products of combustionin the vertical passageway between the partition 10 and front of the casing 1 above the oil and steam nozzle have a triple function, namely, afl'ord heat for vaporizing the oil, furnish carbon dioxide and water vapor to reduce free carbon deposited from the oil to carbon monoxide. and smother out the flame at the I burner nozzle. thereby permitting fiameless oxidation and producing a cracking process of the oil in the oil vapor.

' When oil is cracked in the member: 9 the result is free carbon and combustible vapors and this carbonis dissipated bychemical reaction with the steam from nozzle 17 and the products of combustion from the verticalchamber as follows:

CO plus C=2CO 7 H O plus C=CO plus V The results of these reactions are combustible In starting the operation of the apparatus, it is preferable to supply steam from anindependent source to enter the pipe 20' adjacent the water spray nozzle 24 and to ignite the combustible mixture in the entrance of the refractory tubular member 9 in any desired manner, and thereafter ignite the combustible gases passing through the apertures 30 and 31 After this ignition has been effected the flames playing upon the pipes 20 produce the .desired flames at the burner apertures30 and 31.

Vhat I claim is:

1. In a fluid fuel burner, the combination with means for supplying air, liquid fuel and steam thereto the said air being supplied continuously. of means for atomizing the liquid fuel in the presence of steam, means for producing fiameless oxidation of the atomized fuel and for burning the vapors thereof including arefractory chamber for receiving the atomized fuel adapted to be ignited in the entrance thereof, said chamber provided with means for delivering a part of the products of combustion and unburned vapors therefrom to be burned in the atmosphere and delivering the remaining to mix with the air and be ignited and directing the products of such combustion andunburned vapors to plied continuously, of means for atomizing the liquid fuel in the presence of steam, means for producing. fiameless oxidation of the liquid fuel so atomized and for burning the vapors therefrom including a refractory chamber for receiving the atomized fuel adapted to be ignited in the entrance thereof,

chamber provided with means for delivering-a part of the. products of combustion and unburned vapors thereof to be burned in the atmosphere and delivering the remaining to mix with the air and be ignited and directing the products of such combustion and unburned vaporsto enter the refractory chamher with the steam andatomized oil. together with means cooperating with the part of the vapors delivered for burning for producing the steam.

3. In a fluid fuel burner. the combination with means for supplying air, water and liquid fuel thereto the said air being supplied continuously, of means cooperating therewith to convert the water to produce steam, means to atomize the liquid fuel in the presence of the steam, means to produce flameless oxidation of the atomized fuel including a refractory chamber to receive the atomized fuel adapted to be ignited at the entrance thereof, said chamber divided to lead part of the products of combustion and unburned vapors to mix with air be ignited from the flame of the atomized fuel and lead the results of such combustion to enter the refractory chamber with the atomized fuel to smother out the flame thereof and produce flameless ox dation of the fuel in said chamber. said chamber leading a part of such vapors to burner aperture to be burned in the surrounding atmosphere.

4. In a fluid fuel burner, the combination with means for supplying air, water and liquid fuel thereto the said air being supplied continuously, of means cooperating therewith to convert the water to produce steam, means to atomize the liquid fuel in the presence of the steam, means to produce flameless oxida tion of the atomized fuel including a refractory chamber to receive the atomized fuel adapted to be ignited at the entrance thereof, said chamber divided to lead part of the products of combustion and unburned vapors to mix with air supplied thereto to form a combustible mixture to be ignited from the flame of the atomized fuel and lead the results of such combustion to enter the refractory chamber with the atomized fuel, smother out the flame thereof and produce flameless oxidation of the fuel in said chamber, said chamber leading a part of such vapors to.

burner aperture to be burned in the surrounding atmosphere and actuate the steam producing means. c

5. In a fluid fuel burner for heating purposes,vthe combination with the combustion chamber of a heater of a refractory trough open at the top and entering thereinto, a refractorv casing arranged on the exterior of the combustion chamber, a refractory tubular member adjacent the bottom of the trough communicating at one end with the casing and closed at the other, a plurality of burner apertures provided upon the upper side of said member, a smaller refractory tube arranged Within the said tubular member, spaced apart from the closed end thereof and extending within and open ng into the exterior casing, a refractory partition in said casin joining said entering end of said smaller tube forming a passage from the open end of the large tubular member to adjacent the top of the exterior casing, an air inlet arranged in said casing above said passage, a casing entering the exterior wall of the refractory casing opposite the opening of the smaller refractory tube provider. with air apertures about its exterior circumference, a liquid fuel steam atomizing nozzle in said last named casing aligned with the axis of the smaller refractory-tube, a U shaped pipe, closed at each end, and secured to each side of the exterior refractory casing entering the combustion chamber and supported above the trough, a water spray nozzle in one end thereof, a connection from the other end thereof to the steam atomizing nozzle, a source of liquid fuel connected to the fuel nozzle, and a source of water connected to the water spray nozzle.

6. A liquid fuel burning mechanism including means for delivering atomized fuel thereto, a refractory chamber in prolongation of the stream of atomized fuel into which said fuel enters, a surrounding refractory chamber having means for causing the fuel issuing from the first chamber to travel back over the walls of the first chamber, said surrounding chainber having discharge nozzles about its surface through which a portion of the fuel passes for burning in the atmosphere, a third refractory chamber having means communicating with the first chamber adjacent the fuel delivery thereto and having a refractory passage leading thereinto from the second chamber, and means for admitting atmospheric air to the third chamber adjacent the said communicating means.

'ZrA liquid fuel burning mechanism including means for delivering atomized fuel thereto, an elongated refractory chamber in prolongation of the flow of atomized fuel into which said fuel enters, a refractory chamber surrounding said first chamber having a closed end spaced apart from the end of. the

first chamber most distant from the entrance leading from between the spaced apart walls of the first and second chambers to the end of the third chamber most distant from the delivery fuel and means for admitting atmospheric air to the third chamber adjacent to the said passage and at a distance from said discharge apertures in the walls of the second chamber.

WALTER W, WILLIAMS. 

